Veritas Pathways | Engineering Admissions

Undergraduate Entrance Examination (UGEE)

Undergraduate Entrance Examination (UGEE) is required for admission to Dual Degree (B.Tech + MS by Research) programmes at IIIT Hyderabad. Selection is based on test performance and interview.

Overview

What is UGEE

Undergraduate Entrance Examination (UGEE) is an institution-level entrance examination conducted by IIIT Hyderabad for admission to selected five-year Dual Degree (B.Tech + MS by Research) programmes. UGEE is one of the admission modes for research-oriented engineering tracks at the institute.

Exam Snapshot

Conducted By: International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad)

Purpose: Admission to 5-year Dual Degree (B.Tech + MS by Research) programmes

Course: 5-year Dual Degree (B.Tech + MS by Research) programmes

Participating Institute: IIIT Hyderabad

Mode: Computer-Based Test

Duration: 3 hours

Frequency: Conducted once per year

Language: English

Result Type: Shortlisting for interview based on sectional performance

Admission and Participating Institutes

Admission Purpose

UGEE determines admission to research-oriented Dual Degree programmes at IIIT Hyderabad through test performance and interview.

Participating Institutes

Admission through UGEE is offered at:

International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad

UGEE is specific to IIIT Hyderabad and is not used by other institutes.

Course Offered

5-year integrated Dual Degrees (B.Tech + MS by Research).

CSD – Computer Science and Design

ECD – Electronics and Communication Engineering

CND – Computational Natural Sciences

CLD – Computational Linguistics

CHD – Computational Human Sciences

CGD – Geospatial Technology

All UGEE programmes are research-intensive tracks. Students transition into an MS by Research component within the same programme after completing foundational B.Tech coursework.

Admission Process

Step 1: Apply for UGEE through IIIT Hyderabad portal

Step 2: Appear for SUPR and REAP examination

Step 3: Qualify sectional cut-offs

Step 4: Shortlisting for interview

Step 5: Personal interview evaluation

Step 6: Final merit list based on interview performance

Admission Authority

IIIT Hyderabad conducts the entrance test, interview process, and final admission.

Exam Pattern

Subjects Assessed

UGEE consists of two sections:

SUPR (Subject Proficiency Test)

Questions: 50

Marks: 50

Duration: 60 minutes

Correct Answer: +1 Mark

Incorrect Answer: -0.25 (25% penalty)

Tests conceptual understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

Based on Class 11 and 12 PCM syllabus

This is a Qualifying Section. You must meet a minimum cutoff to have your second paper (REAP) evaluated.

REAP (Research Aptitude Test)

Questions: 50

Marks: 100

Duration: 120 minutes

Correct Answer: +2 Mark

Incorrect Answer: -0.5 (25% penalty)

While still anchored in PCM, REAP is not a traditional subject test. It is designed to test “Research Aptitude” through:

Creative Thinking: Unfamiliar problem-solving and pattern recognition.

Data Interpretation: Analyzing complex graphs, tables, and scientific scenarios.

Application-Based PCM: Using Physics and Math concepts to solve real-world or research-oriented problems.

This is the Ranking Section. Shortlisting for the interview is based entirely on your REAP score.

Admission offers are decided 100% based on the Interview performance.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Must have passed or be appearing for Class 12 or equivalent examination

Students who Passed Class 12 up to 3 years prior to the current admission year are eligible. If the current admission year is Y, a student is eligible if they passed (or are appearing for) their Class 12 exams in any year from Y-3 to Y.

Must have studied: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

Minimum Marks Requirement

No minimum percentage (e.g., 75% or 60%) is required for UGEE. A simple “Pass” in Class 12 is sufficient.

Age Limit

No fixed attempt restriction, subject to eligibility window.

Candidates who passed Class 12 more than four years prior to admission year are not eligible.

Timeline and Attempt Cycle

Typical annual sequence:

Notification Release: February

Application Window: February to March

Admit Card: April

Exam Date: April

Interviews: June

Final Results: June to July

Total seats Available

Approximate total intake through UGEE: 115 seats

Course / Branch	Total Seats	Key Details
CSD – Computer Science and Design	~35	Focuses on computing and design principles
ECD – Electronics and Communication	~20	Combines electronics engineering with research
CND – Computational Natural Sciences	~15	Interdisciplinary program focused on science and computing
CLD – Computational Linguistics	~15	Integrates language processing and AI research
CHD – Computational Human Sciences	~15	Combines social sciences, data analysis, and computing
CGD – Geospatial Technology	~15	Focuses on mapping, spatial data analysis, and advanced computing applications in geoscience and urban planning.

Guidance and Official Resources

Undergraduate Entrance Examination (UGEE) is the specialised admission test conducted by the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad for entry into its dual-degree research programmes, including B.Tech + M.S. by Research in Computer Science and Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering. The exam identifies students with strong analytical ability and research potential suited for advanced engineering study.

Preparation Insight
UGEE preparation must move beyond standard textbook practice to include logical puzzles and complex analytical reasoning. The REAP section specifically focuses on unfamiliar pattern recognition, linguistic logic, and data interpretation rather than traditional physics or mathematics problems. Candidates who regularly practice Olympiad-style puzzles, brain teasers, and logical inference exercises tend to perform significantly better in this section.

Selection Logic
UGEE is designed to select students for research-oriented engineering education at IIIT Hyderabad. Unlike conventional engineering entrances that focus mainly on numerical problem solving, UGEE evaluates whether candidates can analyse unfamiliar problems and develop structured reasoning approaches.

Exam Mechanics
The examination consists of two sections conducted in a single computer-based test:

> SUPR (Subject Proficiency Test): 60 minutes, evaluating conceptual understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at the Class 11 and 12 level.
> REAP (Research Aptitude Test): 120 minutes, evaluating logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and critical thinking through multi-step problem solving.

Candidates must clear a specific qualifying cutoff in SUPR before their REAP score is even considered for shortlisting.

Strategic Insight
Many candidates focus heavily on SUPR but underestimate the weight of REAP. In practice, the REAP section is the primary differentiator because it ranks candidates based on their “Research IQ” rather than memorised formulas. A balanced preparation strategy—where reasoning skills are trained as rigorously as core subjects—is essential to secure an interview call.

Admission Mechanics
Candidates who qualify the written exam are shortlisted for a mandatory research-oriented interview conducted by the IIIT Hyderabad faculty. This interview is the final deciding factor, evaluating a student’s problem-solving approach, intellectual curiosity, and overall suitability for a high-intensity research environment.

Competition Signal
UGEE admissions are highly selective with a limited intake. Total seat matrix for the UGEE mode is 115 seats across all dual-degree branches. Because tens of thousands of top-tier aspirants apply each year, success requires peak performance in both the written aptitude test and the personal interview.

Official Websites

Official Website: IIIT Hyderabad Portal

Information Page: UGEE Admission Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IIIT Hyderabad admission through JEE Main and UGEE?

Admission through JEE Main is for the regular four-year B.Tech programmes at IIIT Hyderabad and is based entirely on the candidate’s JEE Main rank. UGEE, on the other hand, is for the five-year Dual Degree (B.Tech + MS by Research) programmes and involves IIIT Hyderabad’s own entrance exam followed by an interview.

What is the UGEE exam and how does the selection process work?

UGEE consists of two sections: SUPR (Subject Proficiency Test) and REAP (Research Aptitude Test). Candidates who qualify both sections are shortlisted for a personal interview. Final selection is based on performance in the written exam and interview.

What other admission channels are available at IIIT Hyderabad besides UGEE?

IIIT Hyderabad offers multiple admission routes, including JEE Main mode for B.Tech programmes, UGEE for dual degree programmes, DASA mode for international applicants using SAT scores, SPEC mode for certain exceptional candidates, and Lateral Entry (LEEE) for students joining dual degree programmes after two years of study elsewhere.

Which programmes are offered through the UGEE channel?

UGEE is used for admission to IIIT Hyderabad’s dual degree programmes, such as B.Tech + MS by Research in Computer Science, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computational Natural Sciences, and related interdisciplinary areas.

What is the difference between SUPR and REAP in the UGEE exam?

UGEE consists of two distinct sections that test different abilities. SUPR (Subject Proficiency Test) evaluates conceptual understanding in Physics, Mathematics, and basic analytical reasoning similar to engineering entrance exams. REAP (Research Aptitude Test) focuses on logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving ability rather than syllabus-based questions.
To qualify for the interview stage, candidates must clear the cutoff in both sections separately. This means strong performance in only one section is not sufficient. SUPR checks whether a student has the technical foundation for engineering, while REAP helps IIIT Hyderabad identify candidates who can handle research-oriented problem solving required for its dual degree programs.

How competitive is admission to IIIT Hyderabad through UGEE?

UGEE is highly competitive because of the limited number of seats and the institute’s strong research focus. Candidates are evaluated not only on academic knowledge but also on analytical thinking and research aptitude.

📌 Disclaimer: Veritas Pathways strives to provide accurate and current information. Applicants should verify eligibility, admission processes, and dates from official sources, as details may change.

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